Viva Varun: In Chicago!

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed all but two buildings in downtown Chicago. The Old Water Tower (and Pumping Station) was one of the lucky ones. It was built in 1869 out of limestone blocks. Its architect, William Boyington, created this “European castle” that at 47 metres in height dwarfed any other building in the area. It’s ironic that the Water Tower is now one of the shortest constructions in modern-day Chicago. The tower, which was decommissioned in 1906, was built to pump fresh water from Lake Michigan into the city.

I am lucky to have visited all of the major cities in the States. I tried (and failed) to live in New York, contemplated a move to LA but finally decided that I loved warm beer, atrocious & unpredictable weather and fish and chips too much to leave my native England permanently. If I was forced to live in the USA, it would undoubtedly be in Chicago. Why?

I am sure there are simply hundreds of the city highlights I have missed so please feel free to message me with them!

Chicago, Chicago (that toddlin’ town)!

-Varun Sharma

Varun Sharma is the host of Inside Luxury Travel – a television show that focuses on high-end travel. The show airs in over 160 countries, in 18 languages and is beamed into 390 million homes worldwide. He has now stayed in over 500 luxury hotels & resorts … and has in the past year flown in a fighter jet, gone diving – without a cage – in Tiger Shark infested-waters, had dinner with a dingo and has cooked with over 50 Michelin-starred chefs! He likes nothing better than playing a round of golf with his pooch Gemima by his side, cigar in mouth and flask of single malt Scottish whisky to hand!